10.26.2012

Feature & Follow (6)

    It's Friday! Time for another FF post! And this week's question is:
Q: What writing device or trick most irritates you when reading a book? For example, if an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.
    
      Well, I think various POVs in third person is really messy and confusing if not handled well.

      I hate switching POVs, I can't stress that enough, and I am sure I have mentioned it in several of my reviews. I like to keep reading about one to two characters' side of the story. I got accustomed to them, I should say, and I want to know more about the character as the story goes on, and how can I do that if the story constantly switch from one person to another. It's like trying to meet a hundred new people all at once and every one of them are eager to shake your hand. (of course I am not that popular in rea life :P) You get squished in the crowd and drown out by the noises. So, long story short, I hate books that feature more than 2 POVs. That's why I am hesitant to read The Diviners by Libba Bray even though everyone said she's a great author. I think I'll try the Gemma Doyle trilogy first ;)

    What about the third person part? Well, I simply must say I think a book would be more enjoyable written in first person POV. That's where the jokes come from, inside a character's head. I always find that the writing would be a bit uptight if it was in third person, and I want to read a book that has a great storyline but still manage to make me laugh sometimes. A good example would be Anna Dressed In Blood, it's supposedly a tragic love story but it still has an equal amount of humor and sadness. It was written in first person POV, which proved my point perfectly.




So, what are your pet peeves on the writing style of a book? Do you have a totally different opinion than me? Like you like to meet more characters instead of less? Tell me in the comments ;)

29 comments:

  1. I also hate multiple POV's! I remember loving Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick, but had to put down the sequel, Shadows, because there were so many POV's and I hated it!

    New follower!

    My FF

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    1. Haven't read that one before, but it's well-known, I have it on my TBR list... Well, guess we can push that back a little. Glad you understand my point ;)

      I don't hate insta-love though, it had to be done well, or else it would sound stupid and fake, but so far I haven't read a book that couldn't manage to describe a couple in a emotional level, instead of just insta-love, you know, with the looks and all :P

      I followed on GFC! Thanks for commenting, have a nice week! :)

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  2. I don't mind a few different character voices but if it's more than two they have to be really well written. I don't mid third person though I do prefer first.

    New follower. :)

    Myra @ Pieces of Whimsy

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    1. It all boils down to the author then. I have to admit some books have to be written in more than two POVs, otherwise things won't even be linear. But I have seen books that switch POV for no reason, and those are just confusing. Well, I think having different opinions is what drives discussions, so good to know that you don't really hate more than 2 POVs ;)

      I see so many hate against insta-love this week. I am okay with it, as long as the emotion continue to grow and not insta-love in a physical way. Also, it would be nice to know why that insta-love happened. I am not talking about the character describing how blue the guy's eyes are, I mean is there something else that made them connect when their eyes meet? Maybe they were in love in their past live and such. So, again, it all goes back to how the author handle these things ;)

      Thanks for following! Followed back ;)

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  3. Aww I actually like switching points of view! Simone Elkeles does this in her books and it's so good! I guess it's not for everyone! Great answer :)

    Here's my FF!

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    1. Well, then again I might just haven't met an author who can handle this. I haven't read any Simone Elkeles books, but I am willing to try. Which one would you prefer I read first? Perfect Chemistry, Leaving Paradise or How to Ruin? :)

      Ah, another complain about insta-love. Well, I personally don't have a bone with it. Of course I want the author to actually try to come up with s reason as to why they would fall in love within one heartbeat and the next. Like, do they have a bond in elsewhere? Like past lives together? Different dimension? If it's explained and their feelings can keep on growing then I am down for a little insta-love.

      Thanks for following! Followed back ;)

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  4. Well I like getting different points of view myself as well, but I admit that it can be hard sometimes if the author doesn't help to identify who the new narrator is. That can be tricky.

    Here's my Follow Friday

    Have a GREAT weekend!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I understand. I actually love some MG books that I've read with many POVs and are in third person, they turned out okay. But since I am mostly reading YA now, I would say I hate it when switching POVs happen. Of course, sometimes it's crucial to the story, then I will tolerate it. I haven't yet met an author who can do this seamlessly, but I hope I can find one soon :)

      Whoa, four person hating insta-love in a roll, looks like authors have some work to do ;) I keep saying this, but I don't hate insta-love, but I want developments and explanations after insta-love. Like how their feelings grow and stuff.

      Thanks for commenting! :)

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  5. New Twitter follower!

    My F&F - http://bookbloggermom.blogspot.com/2012/10/feature-and-follow-11.html

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    1. Strike 5 for insta-love! (I know, there is no strike 5, but I am baffled that there are 5 person in a roll that hate insta-love :o) Okay, let's repeat my speech again. I don't hate insta-love, there has to be further developments though.

      Thanks for following! I followed back ;)

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  6. Thanks for stopping by - happy to return the follow. I generally prefer to read third-person narratives but, for some odd reason, prefer to write first-person.

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    1. Third person is okay, if things didn't get too out of hand. Like keep on switching POVs, then I'll turn a tantrum and give up the book all together :P Maybe because you have a good connection with your characters? I think you have to be really connected and familiar with a character to be able to write a story solely in his/her eyes and not act out of character ;)

      Thanks for the comment! :)

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  7. Thanks for stopping by, following back. I'm not a fan of multi POVs. I can handle 2-3 but more than that is headache inducing.

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    1. I know, right? I have read a book that has about 5 POVs changes in one chapter. Come on, the chapter is only three pages long, you can't even stay with one character for that long? It was a murder mystery and since things keep on shifting, things are really scattered and confusing.

      Thanks for the comment :)

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  8. New follower!

    Yes, switching points of view in third person can get frustrating.

    http://carabosseslibrary.blogspot.com/2012/10/follow-friday_26.html

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    1. Thanks for following! Followed back! ;)

      I haven't seen many dream sequence. Mostly dream sequence is just to have the character wake up from a bad dream and discover something huge has happened in the real world... I don't mind for dream sequences, but sometimes they can get a little creepy, and if there are too many of those in a book, I would chalk it up as excessive, because it usually is. Unless you're dreaming of your past life and have a really important to the story ;)

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  9. I hate POV changes also. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Verse novels are a pain!

    New follow via GFC.
    Alise - My FF Post

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    1. No problem ;) Glad we share the same points, maybe great minds do think alike! I am no blonde though :P

      Thanks for the follow! :)

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  10. I like changing POV's as long as it is done right :)

    http://mydailyobsessionreview.blogspot.com/2012/10/feature-and-follow-3.html

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    1. I see, it all depends on the author then. I am a rational person, so if the switching is a must, I usually understand and bear with it, but there are books that switch for no reason. Which is completely crazy, for example you're talking about a story in America, and you suddenly switch to someone that lives in Australia. I mean, what!? And it's all scattered, it's just painful... I can't... Ugh! But I am sure there are other books out there that can handle this one well, any recommendations?

      I see your point, the whole repetition thing. I haven't really pay much notice, but I think it's important that the author delivers the same meaning in different ways each time, otherwise it would seem that the author is too lazy to even come up with a new structure or adjective to describe things, that's bad writing. :P

      Thanks for following! Followed back ;)

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  11. Yeah, like you stepped into a shop due to coincidence, and the next thing you know things are spinning out of control. So what if the character never stepped into the shop? Then the story won't even happen at all. The story is too loosely based that way, not solid enough and if one detail changed, the whole story crumbles, not a good book :P

    Thanks for the follow! Followed back! :)

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  12. The changing POV's doesn't bother me to much (although I do think the story is much more entertaining when you only know the thoughts of one character) ....makes you more curious about what others are thinking! New GFC Follower- thanks for stopping by my blog!
    My FF
    ~Caitlin :)

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    1. I agree! There are more mysteries that way, plus, other characters might surprise you if you only know the main characters thoughts and was accustomed to her/his judgment of people.

      Don't mention it ;) It is Feature & Follow Friday ;) Thanks for following! :)

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  13. I don't mind changing pov's as long as it's done well. Under the Never Sky is example of one that I really like because we get to know the two main characters that way. I prefer first person too. I don't really think about it that much but you are right that's where the jokes come from.

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    1. oh, I have heard high praises for that one ;) I think the blurb sounds awesome but somehow never got around to reading it... Maybe it's because I can't find it in my local bookstore... Well, sometimes if an author has good humor, they could write very funny dialogues, I think the MG books nailed that part ;)
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. Hey!
    Thank you SO much for stopping by my blog!!! I really appreciate it!!!
    Great answer! I completely see where you're coming from!!!
    I'm an old follower!!! :D

    J.B. http://jbkantt.blogspot.com/

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    1. Oh hi, welcome to Chillin' With Books again ;) Thanks! I am really glad that you understand my point! Thanks for stopping by too :)

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  15. I see, I haven't even heard of the Silver Trilogy :/ I need to get on GR more... Thanks for stopping by and I am so glad that you like the name, <3 U!

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  16. Hi! New follower here. I agree with multiple points of view being frustrating. Right when you feel yourself getting comfy with a character the author switches it on you! Thanks for sharing.

    Also, I am giving away a Kindle or Nook (your choice) on my blog if you are interested. The contest ends in 2 days!!

    Peace & Love
    Crystal @ YA Society

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